As summer comes to a close, and school begins across the country, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) is promoting Child Safety Awareness Month this August. The theme of this awareness campaign is “Every Child is a Human Caution Sign.”

According to Florida Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), 2014 saw 2,306 crashes involving child pedestrians and bicyclists that ultimately resulted in 48 fatalities. Over 25,000 child restraint and seatbelt violations were issued for children under the age of 17. Additionally, more than 3,000 drivers were cited for failing to stop behind unloading school busses. These staggering figures will hopefully drastically decrease this calendar year as awareness grows, and drivers everywhere safely traverse the roads alongside child pedestrians and bicyclists.

Here are a few safety reminders to share with your kids as the new school season begins:

When biking, ride in the same direction as traffic and obey all traffic signs, signals and lane markings.

Use the sidewalk when walking and use crosswalks with caution. Look both ways before crossing!

Take at least three giant steps away from the curb when waiting for the school bus to arrive.

Buckle up whether in a car or school bus!

Learn more about the Child Safety Awareness Month campaign and safety tips here.